Evening everyone,

I am new to the forum and have only posted one time previously, so let me say thanks for the responses last time and I am glad to be a member. This place rocks!

I have a 2003 Stratus 2.4L DOHC (Sedan)

I recently installed a new radiator and have been performing some other minor maintenance. I noticed an idling issue once I got the car running again after I replaced the radiator.

My initial thought was a a timing adjustment (I am a novice "mechanic" so forgive me if I sound dumb). After talking to a couple of mechanic friends, we determined that it was either a vacuum problem, dirty fuel injectors, or something very minor. Since then, I have done the following:

• 2 treatments of fuel injector cleaner (Lucas brand)
• cleaned the area around the throttle and air intake assembly (nothing major)
• checked the air intake (air filter, etc.)
• replaced the pcv hose that runs from the engine to the air intake assembly

I had a diagnostic ran on the car at Auto Zone and I received the following codes:

• P0303
• P0441
• P0440
• P0300

Based on this information, is there anyone who can help me troubleshoot the problem further? I really need help and I am very low on funds to try and have a local place do the work.


The fuel system seems to be working a little better, but I still have the Check Engine light on and when I am in Reverse or in idle, the car stutters terribly, sometimes even stalling out.



I would be very appreciative if any one out there can offer some suggestions or help me via the interweb troubleshoot the issue.

 

One thing I forgot to mention. When I said I cleaned the area around the throttle body and air intake assembly, I DID NOT clean inside the area where the valve door is. I was worried about messing up something until I got some more advice. Again, I am a NOVICE. Sorry, if I sound moronic.

 

303=cyl #3 misfire/ 300=random cyl misfire
if i remember correctly 441 & 440 r evaporative system codes
sounds to me like u have a vacuum leak sumwhere.
the ecm adjusts timing. u cant.
while the engine is idling, spray ether or carb cleaner around the engine, if the rpm's change, u've found yor leak.

 

Thanks for the response! Ill have to get some ether or carb cleaner in the morning. Probably a long shot, but would happen to know of any free resources where I could get a layout of the entire engine? I want to familiarize myself with everything.

What area should I be looking at that would most likely be where the leak is? A general area, if you will.

Yes, I am a nerd.

 

If it is a vacuum leak, you will have High idle, and smooth out when u rev the RPM.
Maybe u need a Tune up and possible a new Coil Pack.
or low fuel pressure, spray some Throttle body cleaner or Brake clean into the intake gentlely, see if it smooths out the engine.
If you have/can afford a cheap hand held scanner, I would recommend you to erase the Code, see which mis-fire codes return, and swap out the coil pack, see if code follows.
The Scanner that Autozone use, you can probably pick one up online for $25, or $35-50 from Advance auto, with all those Online discount coupons.